Between Bernie Sanders’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton and the conference Socialism 2016, which concluded in Chicago earlier this month, left-leaning residents might need a new outlet for their fix of noncapitalist rhetoric. The annual Bughouse Square Debates—the 30th edition takes place on Saturday, July 30—is an attempt to reconnect citizens to the city’s radical roots.
Mainstream American disdain for communism after World War II led to a decline in the park’s popularity—until 20 years later, when community members sought to rejuvenate the park. Since 1986 the Newberry has organized the Bughouse Square Debates event to coincide with the Newberry Book Fair, a four-day sale known for its mix of used books, movies, and records.
Sat 7/30, noon-4 PM Washington Square Park 901 N. Clark 312-943-9090newberry.org Free
